Sexual Assault Policy

The Macon State College Student Handbook is the vehicle for educating students on the Campus Sexual Assault Policy. The Student Handbook may be accessed online at www.maconstate.edu/studentlife/docs/studenthandbook.pdf.

All sexual offenses, whether forcible or non-forcible, on the Macon State College campuses are forbidden and will be the subject of disciplinary action. The report of a sexual assault made to the College, being a report of an alleged crime, will be reported to the proper law enforcement agency having jurisdiction for investigation and prosecution, if warranted.

Prevention

Campus seminars and printed material aimed at the prevention of sex offenses will be available to students each year. These programs are instituted to educate, and promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, or other sex offenses that are proscribed by law.

Procedures

1. If a sex offense occurs, the victim should promptly preserve all evidence as may be necessary to prove a criminal assault or other sex offense.
2. In the event of emergency, or if the arrest of the perpetrator is needed for the safety of the victim or others, a report should be made by the victim directly to one of the following local law enforcement agencies:
• Macon Campus: Macon State Police: (478) 471-2414
• Warner Robins Campus: City of Warner Robins Police Telephone: (478) 929-7278
• Robins Resident Center: Robins Air Force Base Telephone: SECURITY - 911
• Emergency at ALL locations: Dial 911
3. Make a written report of the offense and promptly file it with Macon State College at one of the following locations:
• STUDENTS: Office of Student Affairs, SLC-112, Macon Campus. If an appointment is necessary, telephone (478) 757-7383.
• FACULTY, STAFF, CONTINUING EDUCATION PARTICIPANTS, AND VISITORS: Human Resources, Room 151, Recreation & Wellness Center, Macon Campus. If an appointment is necessary, telephone (478) 471-2010.
• ALL PERSONS AT WARNER ROBINS CAMPUS: Office of the Associate Director, 100 University Boulevard, Warner Robins Campus, (478) 929-6700.
• ALL PERSONS AT THE ROBINS RESIDENT CENTER: Reports should be filed with military authorities as required under Air Force policy. For further information, contact the Office of the Director, Robins Resident Center, telephone (478) 327-7307.

Macon State College Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights

1. The right to have any and all sexual assaults against them treated with seriousness; the right, as victims, to be treated with dignity; and the right for campus organizations that assist such victims to be accorded recognition.
2. The right to have sexual assaults committed against them investigated and adjudicated by the duly constituted criminal and civil authorities of the governmental entity in which the crimes occurred; and the right to the full and prompt cooperation and assistance of campus personnel in notifying the proper authorities. The foregoing shall be in addition to any campus disciplinary proceedings.
3. The right to be free from any kind of pressure from campus personnel that victims not report crimes committed against them to civil and criminal authorities or to campus law enforcement and disciplinary officials; or, report crimes as lesser offenses than the victims perceive them to be.
4. The right to be free from any kind of suggestion that campus sexual assault victims not report, or under- report, crimes because: victims are somehow 'responsible' for the commission of crimes against them;
• victims were contributorily negligent or assumed the risk of being assaulted; or,
• by reporting crimes they would incur unwanted personal publicity.
5. The same right to legal assistance, or ability to have others present, in any campus disciplinary proceeding that the institution permits to the accused; and the right to be notified of the outcome of such proceeding.
6. The right to full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence as may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual assault in subsequent legal proceedings. (Medical examination is the responsibility of the victim.)
7. The right to be made aware of, and assisted in exercising any options, as provided by State and Federal laws or regulations, with regard to mandatory testing of sexual assault suspects for communicable diseases and with regard to notification to victims of the results of such testing.
8. The right to counseling from any mental health services previously established by the institution, or by other victim-service entities, or by victims themselves.

Availability of Counseling/Medical Services

• The Macon State College Counseling Center is available to students during office hours at (478) 471-2985.
• Crisis Line of Macon & Bibb County Rape Crisis Team 24-hour emergency number is (478) 745-9292.
• In the event a medical examination is required to preserve the evidence of rape, or sexual assault, such examination would be necessary immediately after the crime and prior to any change in the body of the victim by washing or elimination of fluids. The medical examination is the responsibility of the victim. There are no facilities for medical examination on the campus of Macon State College, and it would be necessary for such examination to be arranged off campus, with the cooperation of the victim.

Notwithstanding the provisions made for on-campus disciplinary proceedings as indicated below, the victim has the option to notify proper law enforcement authorities and the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying such authorities, if the victim chooses.

On-Campus Disciplinary Actions

Procedures for on-campus disciplinary action in cases of alleged sexual offenses shall include a hearing as described in Section III of this Handbook, "Disciplinary Procedures", as follows:

SANCTIONS

The following are disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed upon the student. This list is not exhaustive and the College reserves the right to modify or enlarge the list at any time depending on the nature of the violation(s). Upon imposition of a sanction, the student is notified by mail. In cases of suspension or expulsion, the parents of a minor will be notified by mail.

1. Disciplinary Warning - A Disciplinary Warning is an official written reprimand.
2. Disciplinary Probation - Disciplinary Probation is a period of time during which further violations of the rules and regulations of the College may result in suspension or expulsion. Probation may be imposed for a period of time ranging from the remainder of the semester in which the violation occurred to the remainder of the student's matriculation at the College. Restrictions may be imposed in conjunction with probation and may include:
1. Community Service Hours - Students may be required to complete work at a designated location for a specified number of hours.
2. Educational Programs - Students may be required to attend programs on special topics related to the offense. This does not include academic courses for credit.
3. Restricted presence on campus - Students may be restricted on campus except to attend classes or complete coursework.
4. Special Projects - Students may be required to write papers and/or present programs on topics related to the offense.
5. Substance Abuse Assessment - Students may be required to submit to an assessment for substance abuse. Periodic drug testing, not to exceed two random tests per semester for a minimum of three semesters, may be required.
6. Restitution - Students may be required to reimburse the College or other persons, groups, or organizations for damages incurred as a result of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
7. Confiscation - The College reserves the right to confiscate goods used or possessed in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
3. Loss of Student Office/Leadership Position - Students in elected/appointed positions may lose the position as a result of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
4. Forced Withdrawal - Students may be withdrawn from the academic course(s) within which the violation of the Student Code of Conduct occurred without receiving academic credit for the course(s) or refund.
5. Change of Grade - Students found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct may receive a change in grade for the course, test, paper, or work in which an academic irregularity occurred.
6. Temporary Suspension from a Course - Students may receive a temporary suspension from a particular course, not to exceed two class meetings.
7. Interim Suspension
1. At any time following the submission of a written complaint, the Student Conduct Officer may suspend a student for an interim period prior to resolution of the disciplinary proceeding if the Student Conduct Officer believes that the information that supports the allegations of misconduct is reliable and determines that the continued presence of the student on the College campus poses a threat to any individual, property, or College function.
2. The decision to suspend a student for an interim period shall be communicated in writing to the student and shall become effective immediately upon sending the notice.
3. The interim suspension shall remain in effect until a final decision has been made on the pending charges or until the Student Conduct Officer determines that the reasons for imposing the interim suspension no longer exist.
4. A student who is suspended for an interim period will be provided an opportunity to respond to the allegations of misconduct no later than five College business days (Monday - Friday) following the effective date of the interim suspension.
5. The student will be granted a hearing opportunity, if warranted, as soon as possible following such response but no later than five College business days (Monday - Friday).
8. Suspension - A decision of suspension terminates the student's status as an enrolled student for a specific period of time and prohibits the student from attending classes. A suspended student may not participate in College sponsored activities or be present on campus without specific authorization from the Student Conduct Officer. The Student Conduct Officer may further impose a summary suspension in cases where a suspended student chooses to violate the terms of his/her suspension. Suspended students may not receive academic credit of any kind from another institution if earned during their period of suspension from the College. Students will not receive a refund of fees.
9. Expulsion - A decision of expulsion constitutes a permanent severance of the student's relationship with the College. An expelled student may not enter any part of the campus without specific authorization from the Student Conduct Officer. Students will not receive a refund of fees.
10. Revocation of Admission and/or Degree - Admission to or a degree awarded from the College may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or other violation of College standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation.
11. Withholding Degree - The College may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in this Student Code, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any.

At the hearing of an accusation of sexual assault

1. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding; and,
2. Both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding.